The Dog Blog with Kathryn Socie

When Animals Attack

By Kathryn Socie, 6-08-08

It’s that time of year again; the season when the formerly-assumed-as-innocent take back the woods.  Well, given deer numbers, does pretty much take back every nook and cranny of Missoula. Throughout much of the year does come across as lovely, peaceful, Disney-like creatures, but once they have fawns on the ground everything changes. Spring is the time of year when these animals attack and if the twice-annual raging letter to the editor is any indication, public enemy #1 for Bambi’s mom is your dog.

I can feel you sitting there beginning to boil, chastising the unleashed dogs romping around, wreaking havoc.  You want to point your finger at “those” dogs as the terrible culprits inspiring deer rage, possibly thinking that they even, gasp, deserve to be attacked. Your fidelity to 6 feet of webbing definitely protects your dog from oh so many dangers and I thank you for your efforts. Kudos to you.  Unfortunately, your leashed dog is not immune to spring rage.  Not even your yard is safe.

The list of spring attacks over the years is as long as the combination of scenarios. A yellow lab tied up in her yard was rolled and kicked before her owner noticed and ran the deer off.  A Yorkshire terrier walking in the University district (on leash) was nearly killed.  A border collie in open space (off leash, yes, but she was 5 feet in front of her person) suffered three broken ribs. A German shepherd suffered a head injury after being cornered and kicked in his fenced yard by a doe with a fawn parked just outside.

On a hike last year, I watched a man hang a sign on a stretch of turf in the Rattlesnake that said: “Warning: doe with fawn in the area, travel with caution.” After chatting with the author I learned that it was written on behalf of dog owners, the fawn was safe with mom on patrol.  Sitting on his deck he watched this doe pummel half a dozen dogs, both on and off leash, while their owners stood in shock and horror.  We had this conversation as I began my trek through this particular chunk of real estate with my dogs leashed, I thought, for safety (everyones).  Almost on cue, the doe slowly approached.  She was relentless, escorting us for several meters at an eerie arms length distance, trying to push her way past me (and my efforts to be a human shield) to kick some dog butt.

Missoula is hardly the only urban-wildland interface area affected by angry deer.  According to a recent article in the Helena Independent Record, reports of deer harassing people and pets have led citizens there to seriously consider the use of sharpshooters to cull herds and reduce their out of control urban deer population. Under the plan, sharpshooters would place bait and shoot up to 350 mule deer, effectively cutting the population in half, with small-caliber weapons at these sites after dark.  Sure it would be an effective measure, but I’m not so sure how I would feel about a group of urban hunters legally armed, ready to fire, and roaming the streets of my town at night, but it is something to be mulled over for sure as Missoula considers options for reigning in the deer numbers.

Nonetheless, consider this a friendly reminder.  It’s that time of year, when hell hath no fury like a doe with a fawn. Keep the deer and your dog safe, walk with awareness. 

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